On the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 Churchill recalled Wilson to the Admiralty as an adviser on strategy to the First Sea Lord. Wilson accepted on condition that he was not paid or appointed to an established post. Younger admirals greeted his return to a position of influence with dismay. Some even doubted his sanity when, in September 1914, he revived his old plan of seizing Heligoland (ceded by the United Kingdom to Germany in 1890 in return for concessions in Africa) to use as a base for an inshore blockading squadron. In May 1915 one of the six demands that Fisher (re-appointed First Sea Lord when Battenberg resigned in October 1914) made as a condition of remaining in office was that Wilson must leave the Admiralty and cease distracting him with schemes for the bombardment of Heligoland. When Fisher resigned, Churchill proposed re-appointing Wilson as First Sea Lord. Sir John Jellicoe, C-in-C, Grand Fleet, declared that the flag officers afloat trusted Wilson (his old captain in Sans Pareil) even less than they did Churchill and would regard his return to office as a national disaster. Wilson therefore remained as an adviser until the end of the war in November 1918.
In 1858, his uncle, Archdale Wilson, had been created a baronet for services in the Indian Mutiny campaign, with a special remainder in favour of his brother’s sons in default of male issue of his own. Arthur Wilson’s eldest brother died at a young age in a mountaineering accident, and the baronetcy was in due course inherited by his next brother, Roland. Sir Arthur Wilson succeeded him as third baronet in October 1919 and died at Swaffham on 25 May 1921. He was unmarried and his baronetcy became extinct. Churchill said of him, “he was the most selfless man I have ever met or even read of … everything was duty … [to him] there was nothing else”. Jellicoe’s view was that, if the politicians appealed to his sense of duty, he would agree to anything they wanted.
TABLE 1
A SENIORITY LIST OF THE
ADMIRALS OF THE FLEET
1. Norris, Sir John (c. 1660–1749) 20 Feb 1734
2. Ogle, Sir Chaloner (1681–1750) 19 Jul 1749
3. Stueart, James (c. 1690–1757) 22 Nov 1751
4. Clinton, the Honourable George (1686–1761) Mar 1757
5. Anson, George, Lord Anson, Baron of Soberton (1697–1762) 30 Jul 1761
6. Rowley, Sir William, KB (1690–1768) 17 Dec 1762
7. Hawke, Sir Edmund, 1st Baron Hawke (1705–1781) 15 Jan 1768
8. Forbes, the Honourable John (1714–1796) 24 Oct 1781
9. Howe, Sir Richard, Earl Howe, KG (1726–1799) 12 Mar 1796
10. Parker, Sir Peter, 1st Baronet (1721–1811) 16 Sep 1799
11. William IV, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland, King of Hanover (1765–1837) 24 Dec 1811
12. Jervis, Sir John, Earl of St Vincent, GCB (1735–1823) 19 Jul 1821
13. Freeman, William Peere Williams (1742–1832) 28 Jun 1830
14. Gambier, James, Baron Gambier, GCB (1765–1833) 22 Jul 1830
15. Pole, Sir Charles Morice, 1st Baronet, GCB (1757–1830) 22 Jul 1830
16. Nugent, Sir Charles Edmund, KCH (1759–1844) 24 Apr 1833
17. Whitshed, Sir James Hawkins, 1st Baronet, GCB (1761–1849) 8 Jan 1844
18. Martin, Sir George, GCB, GCMG (1764–1847) 9 Nov 1846
19. Martin, Sir Thomas Byam, GCB (1773–1854) 13 Oct 1849
20. Cockburn, the Right Honourable Sir George, 2nd Baronet, GCB (1772–1853) 1 Jul 1851
21. Ogle, Sir Charles, 2nd Baronet (1775–1858) 18 Dec 1857
22. West, Sir John, KCB (1774–1862) 25 Jun 1858
23. Gage, Sir William Hall, GCB, GCH (1777–1864) 20 May 1862
24. Hamond, Sir Graham Eden, 1st Baronet, GCB (1779–1862) 10 Nov 1862
25. Austen, Sir Francis William, GCB (1774–1863) 27 Apr 1863
26. Parker, Sir William, 1st Baronet, GCB (1781–1866) 27 Apr 1863
27. Curtis, Sir Lucius, 2nd Baronet, KCB (1786–1869) 11 Jan 1864
28. Cochrane, Sir Thomas John, GCB (1789–1872) 12 Sep 1865
29. Seymour, Sir George Francis, GCB, GCH (1787–1870) 30 Nov 1866
30. Gordon, Sir James Alexander, GCB (1782–1869) 30 Jan 1868
31. Bowles, Sir William, KCB (1780–1869) 15 Jan 1869
32. Sartorius, Sir George Rose, KCB (1790–1885) 3 Jul 1869
33. Moresby, Sir Fairfax, GCB (1786–1877) 21 Jan 1870
34. Stewart, Sir Houston, GCB (1791–1875) 20 Oct 1872
35. Codrington, Sir Henry John, KCB (1808–1877) 22 Jan 1877
36. Keppel, Sir Henry, GCB (1809–1904) 5 Aug 1877
37. Wallis, Sir Provo William Parry, GCB (1791–1892) 11 Dec 1877
38. Mundy, Sir George Rodney, GCB (1805–1884) 27 Dec 1877
39. Hope, Sir James, GCB (1808–1881) 15 Jun 1879
40. Symonds, Sir Thomas Matthew Charles, GCB (1813–1894) 15 Jun 1879
41. Milne, Sir Alexander, 1st Baronet, GCB (1806–1896) 10 Jun 1881
42. Elliot, the Honourable Sir Charles Gilbert John Brydone, KCB (1818–1895) 1 Dec 1881
43. Ryder, Sir Alfred Phillipps, KCB (1820–1888) 29 Apr 1885
44. Edward VII, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1841–1910) 18 Jul 1887
45. Hornby, Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps, GCB (1825–1895) 1 May 1888
46. Hay, the Right Honourable Lord John, GCB (1827–1916) 8 Dec 1888
47. William (Wilhelm) II, HM German Emperor and King of Prussia, KG, GCVO (1859–1941) 2 Aug 1889
48. Commerell, Sir John Edmund, VC, GCB (1829–1901) 14 Feb 1892
49. Alfred Ernest Albert, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, HSH Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GCVO (1844–1900) 3 Jun 1893
50. Meade, the Right Honourable Richard James, 4th Earl of Clanwilliam, GCB, KCMG (1832–1907) 20 Feb 1895
51. Lyons, Sir Algernon McLennan, GCB (1833–1908) 23 Aug 1897
52. Richards, Sir Frederick William, GCB (1833–1912) 29 Nov 1898
53. Salmon, Sir Nowell, VC, GCB (1835–1912) 13 Jan 1899
54. Erskine, Sir James Elphinstone, KCB (1838–1911) 3 Oct 1902
55. Hotham, Sir Charles Frederick, GCB, GCVO (1843–1925) 30 Aug 1903
56. Kerr, the Right Honourable Lord Walter Talbot (1839–1927) 16Jun 1904
57. Seymour, Sir Edward Hobart, GCB, OM, GCVO (1840–1929) 20 Feb 1905
58. Fisher, Sir John Arbuthnot, 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone, GCB, OM, GCVO (1841–1920) 4 Dec 1905
59. Wilson, Sir Arthur Knyvet, 3rd Baronet, VC, GCB, OM, GCVO (1842–1921) 1 Mar 1907
60. Nicholas II, HIM Emperor of Russia (1868–1918) 11 Jun 1908
61. Noel, Sir Gerard Henry Uctred, KCB, KCMG (1845–1918) 2 Dec 1908
62. Henry (Heinrich) of Prussia, HRH Prince, KG, GCB (1862–1929) 27 Jan 1910
63. Fanshawe, Sir Arthur Dalrymple, GCB, GCVO (1847–1936) 30 Apr 1910
64. George V, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1865–1936) 6 May 1910
65. May, Sir William Henry, GCB, GCVO (1849–1930) 20 Mar 1913
66. Meux, the Honourable Sir Hedworth Lambton, GCB, KCVO (1856–1929) 5 Mar 1915
67. Callaghan, Sir George Astley, GCB, GCVO (1852–1920) 2 Apr 1917
68. Jellicoe, Sir John Rushworth, 1 st Earl Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO (1859–1935) 3 Apr 1919
69. Beatty, Sir David, 1st Earl Beatty, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO (1871–1936) 3 Apr 1919
70. Jackson, Sir Henry Bradwardine, GCB, KCVO, (1855–1929) 31 Jul 1919
71. Wemyss, Rosslyn Erskine, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss, GCB, CMG, MVO (1864–1933) 1 Nov 1919
72. Burney, Sir Cecil, KCB (1858–1929) 24 Nov 1920
73. Sturdee, Sir Frederick Charles Doveton, 1st Baronet, GCB, KCMG, CVO (1859–1925) 5 Jul 1921
74. Mountbatten, Louis Alexander, HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg, 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, GCB, GCVO, KCMG (1854–1921) 4 Aug 1921
75. Madden, Sir Charles Edward, 1st Baronet, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCMG (1862–1935) 31 Jul 1924
76. Gough-Calthorpe, the Honourable Sir Somerset Arthur, GCB, GCMG, CVO (1864
–1937) 8 May 1925
77. De Robeck, Sir John Michael, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCMG, GCVO (1862–1928) 24 Nov 1925
78. Oliver, Sir Henry Francis, GCB, GCMG (1865–1965) 21 Jan 1928
79. Brock, Sir Osmond de Beauvoir, GCB, KCVO (1869–1947) 31 Jul 1929
80. Keyes, Sir Roger, 1st Baron Keyes, 1st Baronet, GCB, KCVO, DSO (1872–1945) 8 May 1930
81. Field, Sir Frederick Lawrence, GCB, KCMG (1871–1945) 21 Jan 1933
82. Tyrwhitt, Sir Reginald Yorke, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO (1870–1951) 31 Jul 1934
83. Chatfield, Sir Alfred Ernie Montacute, 1st Baron Chatfield, GCB, KCMG, CVO (1873–1967) 3 May 1935
84. Edward VIII, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland, HRH Duke of Windsor (1894–1972) 21 Jan 1936
85. Kelly, Sir John Donald, GCB, GCVO (1871–1936) 12 Jul 1936
86. George VI, HM King of Great Britain and Ireland (1895–1952) 11 Dec 1936
87. Boyle, William Henry Dudley, 12th Earl of Cork and Orrery, GCB, GCVO (1873–1967) 21 Jan 1938
88. Backhouse, Sir Roger Roland Charles, GCB, GCVO, CMG (1879–1939) 7 Jul 1939
89. Pound, Sir Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers, GCB, OM, GCVO (1877–1943) 31 Jul 1939
90. Forbes, Sir Charles Morton, GCB, DSO (1880–1960) 8 May 1940
91. Cunningham, Sir Andrew Browne, Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, 1st Baronet, KT, GCB, OM, DSO (1883–1963) 21 Jan 1943
92. Tovey, Sir John Cronyn, Baron Tovey, GCB, KBE, DSO (1885–1971) 22 Oct 1943
93. Somerville, Sir James, GCB, GBE, DSO (1882–1949) 8 May 1945
94. Cunningham, Sir John Henry Dacres, GCB, MVO (1885–1962) 21 Jan 1948
95. Fraser, Sir Bruce Austin, Baron Fraser of North Cape, GCB, KBE (1888–1981) 22 Oct 1948
96. Willis, Sir Algernon Usborne, GCB, KBE, DSO (1889–1976) 20 Mar 1949
97. Power, Sir Arthur John, GCB, GBE, CVO (1889–1960) 22 Apr 1952
98. Vian, Sir Philip Louis, GCB, KBE, DSO (1894–1968) 1 Jun 1952
99. Philip, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO (1921–) 15 Jan 1953
100. McGrigor, Sir Rhoderick Robert, GCB, DSO (1893–1959) 1 May 1953
101. Creasey, Sir George Elvey, GCB, CBE, MVO, DSO (1895–1972) 22 Apr 1955
102. Mountbatten, Lord Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO (1900–1979) 22 Oct 1956
103. Lambe, Sir Charles Edward, GCB, CVO (1900–1960) 10 May 1960
104. John, Sir Caspar, GCB (1903–1984) 23 May 1962
105. Begg, Sir Varyl Cargill, GCB, DSO, DSC (1908–1995) 12 Aug 1968
106. Le Fanu, Sir Michael, GCB, DSC (1913–1970) 3 Jul 1970
107. Hill-Norton, Sir Peter John, Baron Hill-Norton, GCB (1915–) 12 Mar 1971
108. Pollock, Sir Michael Patrick, GCB, LVO, DSC (1916–) 1 Mar 1974
109. Ashmore, Sir Edward Beckwith, GCB, DSC (1919–) 9 Feb 1977
110. Lewin, Sir Terence Thornton, Baron Lewin, KG, GCB, LVO, DSC (1920–1999) 6 Jul 1979
111. Leach, Sir Henry Conyers, GCB (1923–) 1 Dec 1982
112. Fieldhouse, Sir John, Baron Fieldhouse, GCB, GBE (1928–1992) 2 Aug 1985
113. Staveley, Sir William Doveton Minet, GCB (1928–1997) 25 May 1989
114. Oswald, Sir John Julian Robertson, GCB (1933–) 2 Mar 1992
115. Bathurst, Sir David Benjamin, GCB (1936–) 10 Jul 1995
TABLE 2
THE CATALOGUE OF THE SHIPS
SEAGOING SHIPS OF THE ROYAL NAVY IN
WHICH THE ADMIRALS OF THE FLEET SERVED
The descriptions of the ships listed below are intended only as a general guide to the importance of the ships in which the admirals of the fleet served at various stages in their career. Designations such as destroyer, corvette, cruiser, frigate and sloop each had different meanings at different times. In many cases the classification, tonnage, armament and even names were changed in the course of a ship’s life. Prior to 1873 tonnages were given in builders’ measurement. From then until 1926 they were given in displacement tonnage, and thereafter, under international rules, in standard displacement. Where two methods were used during the years that a ship was in service, both are given. The first date given is in most cases that of launch. The second is that of the ship ceasing to be an effective unit of the fleet. The names of the admirals of the fleet shown in this table are those by which they were known at the end of their careers.
ABERGAVENNY 4th-rate; 1,182; 1795–1807 William Parker
ABOUKIR [1] 3rd-rate; 1,703; 1807–24 Cockburn; Thomas Martin
[2] 2nd-rate; 3,091; 1848–77 Erskine
[3] armoured cruiser; 12,000; 1900–1914 Beatty; Chatfield
ACASTA 5th-rate; 1,127; 1797–1821 Bowles; George Seymour
ACHERON submarine; 11,120; 1945–67 Fieldhouse
ACHILLES armoured cruiser, 13,550; 1905–21 Oliver
ACORN sloop; 430; 1807–19 Moresby
ACTIVE [1] 6th-rate; 594; 1758–78 Freeman
[2] 5th-rate; 1,058; 1799–1826 Gordon
[3] corvette (3rd-class cruiser); 3,080; 1869–1906 Brock;Cork and Orrery; Jackson; Noel
[4] destroyer; 1,350; 1929–47 Vian
ADAMANT 4th-rate; 1, 060; 1780–1809 Stewart
ADELAIDE (HMAS) light cruiser; 5,440; 1918–49 Vian
ADVENTURE [1] 4th-rate; 438; 1646–1709 Norris
[2] 5th-rate; 896; 1784–1801 Charles Ogle
[3] minelayer; 6,740; 1924–44 John Cunningham
AENEAS submarine; 1,120; 1945–74 Fieldhouse
AEOLUS 5th-rate; 1,078; 1801–17 Pole
AFRICA battleship; 16,350; 1905–20 McGrigor; Milford Haven
AFRIDI destroyer; 1,870; 1937–40 Vian
AGAMEMNON [1] 2nd-rate; 3,102; 1852–70 Fisher
[2] battleship; 16,500; 1906–20 McGrigor
AGINCOURT [1] 3rd-rate; 1,747; 1817–48 Cochrane
[2] battleship; 6,621 (10,690); 1865–1904 Commerell;
De Robeck; Jellicoe; Kelly; Meux;Milford Haven;Oliver
AIGLE 5th-rate; 1,003; 1780–1809 Hamond
AJAX [1] 3rd-rate; 1,953; 1798–1807 Cochrane; Whitshed
[2] battleship; 8,600; 1880–1904 Tyrwhitt
[3] battleship; 23,000; 1912–26 Somerville
[4] cruiser; 6,985; 1934–49 Staveley
AKBAR 4th-rate; 1,388; 1801–24 Thomas Martin
ALACRITY despatch vessel; 1,700; 1885–1913 Brock, Callaghan
ALARM 5th-rate; 683; 1758–1812 Moresby; William Parker; St Vincent
ALBEMARLE battleship; 14,000; 1901–19 Chatfield; Jellicoe
ALBION [1] 3rd-rate; 1,743; 1802–31 Cockburn; Milne
[2] 2nd-rate; 3,111; 1842–84 Lyons
[3] battleship; 12,950; 1898–1919 Field
[4] commando carrier; 22,000; 1947–1973 Ashmore; Leach; Staveley
ALCIDE 3rd-rate; 1,625; 1779–1817 Charles Ogle
ALDBOROUGH [1] 6th-rate; 288; 1706–43 Steuart
[2] 6th-rate; 440; 1756–77 Whitshed
ALERT [1] brig-sloop; 205; 1779–92 George Martin
[2] sloop; 751; 1856–84 May
[3] frigate; 1,500; 1945–71 Ashmore
ALEXANDRA battleship; 9,490; 1875–1908 Alfred, Duke of
Edinburgh; Chatfield; Fanshawe; George V; Hay; Hornby;
Hotham; Jellicoe; Madden; Meux; Noel; Edward Seymour; Tyrwhitt
ALEXANDRIA 5th-rate; 662; 1806–18 Stewart
ALGIERS 2nd-rate; 3,340; 1854–70 Codrington; Wilson
AMARANTHE brig-sloop; 290; 1796–99 William Parker
AMAZON [1] 5th-rate; 687; 1773–94 Whitshed
[2] 5th-rate; 1,038; 1799–1817 Moresby; William Parker
AMERICA 3rd-rate; 1,370; 1777–1800 Gage
AMETHYST [1] corvette (3rd-class cruiser); 1,970; 1873–87 Oliver
[2] 3rd-class cruiser; 3,000; 1903–20 Tyrwhitt
AMPHION [1] 5th-rate; 909; 1798–1820 Bowles
[2] scout cruiser; 3,440; 1911–14 Tovey
AMPHITRITE 1st-class cruiser; 1
1,000; 1898–1920 De Robeck
ANDROMEDA 5th-rate; 721; 1784–1808 Austen; Thomas Martin; William IV
ANGLER torpedo-boat destroyer; 310; 1897–1920 De Robeck
ANSON [1] battleship; 10,600; 1886–1909 Kelly; Edward Seymour; Wemyss
[2] battleship; 35,000; 1940–57 Fraser
ANTELOPE 4th-rate; 858; 1741–81 Hawke
ANTRIM [1] armoured cruiser; 10,850; 1903–22 Madden
[2] guided missile destroyer; 5,600; 1967–84 Ashmore
APOLLO 5th-rate; 1,086; 1805–46 Codrington
AQUILON 5th-rate; 724; 1786–1815 Bowles; Hamond
ARETHUSA [1] 4th-rate; 2,132; 1849–74 Symonds
[2] light cruiser; 3,500; 1913–16 Tyrwhitt
British Admirals of the Fleet Page 44